[JohnB47]

Hi all.

I planted three red stem dogwood bushes in Autumn 2012 and the missus said to crop them down low last Spring. I thought that was too soon so I vetoed that. They haven't put on much new growth since, although last summer was very dry here.

Now they're just starting to produce leaves. Is it ok to prune back now? Also, how much to prune, to encourage new growth?

Thanks.

[sunshineband]

They are usually pruned hard on alternate years, so this is the one to go for it, any time between now and mid March.

The existing stems should be cut right off close to the base of the plant to eventually form a 'stool': they are being coppiced really.

A good feed of blood, fish & bone will see them grow nice bright stems for next winter.

[JohnB47]

Thanks. That's a little job for tomorrow then, along with pruning the hydrangea.

[Goosegirl]

I do mine every year but don't prune until spring so I can enjoy their coloured stems over winter. You can prune them right down to the base as already said, or part way down to create a basic framework which is what I like to do because the heightened growth helps to protect other plants from the strong winds we get here. I have one whose main branches (with some tidying up) have been left to form a small laterally-spreading tree / large shrub. The new whippy growthy from the bottom gets cut off annually. This hard pruning really stimulates re-growth and I find they make about 3-4 foot of new growth during the year and don't seem to  mind if they are already budding when you do it.

[JohnB47]

I do mine every year but don't prune until spring so I can enjoy their coloured stems over winter. You can prune them right down to the base as already said, or part way down to create a basic framework which is what I like to do because the heightened growth helps to protect other plants from the strong winds we get here. I have one whose main branches (with some tidying up) have been left to form a small laterally-spreading tree / large shrub. The new whippy growthy from the bottom gets cut off annually. This hard pruning really stimulates re-growth and I find they make about 3-4 foot of new growth during the year and don't seem to  mind if they are already budding when you do it.

Thanks.